Books we loved in April 2025

An inviting, spring-like book about animals often found in local parks. Lift the flaps to discover more about them. Ideal for getting toddlers involved. 

The collector in this picture book reminds readers that anything can start a collection – even something you find behind the sofa.

Can you touch all the different textures? A sweet touch-and-feel book, with braille and British Sign Language words too, perfect for babies and toddlers. 

The woodland animals are concerned that the rain will ruin their Forest School session. Not to worry! Mrs Owl shows them that rainy days can be fun too. A sweet story with activity ideas for enjoying nature whatever the weather. 

John Bond’s delightful story about a little girl getting her ideal pet will resonate with lots of young readers, and his brilliant illustrations featuring the cutest and silliest sausage dogs are full of fun.

This delightful, zany book about a clever little full stop and an incorrigible dragon is a great way to explain full stops and what they do in punctuation to young readers and listeners.

This rather unusual, beautiful and artistic picture book explores the experience of a dyslexic reader who finds that words can sometimes jump around on the page. 

Zahra hates long walks, so when Uncle Jerome picks her up from school and suggests they take ​‘the long walk home’, she is less than thrilled. But when birds become pterodactyls, Zahra begins to see this walk is like nothing she’s ever experienced before. Huge fun.

A collection of hilarious comic strips featuring Betty and her friend Yeti from The Beano. Laugh along with the glorious, farty chaos that ensues! 

In this lovely rhyming book, James Carter and James Munro explore the migratory experiences of a number of animals, from barn swallows to salmon, humpback whales to emperor penguins – and even humans.

Fascinated by the sky, space, planets, and aliens, Leo would love to share his interest with someone, and he knows his lack of friends worries Mum, Dad and his teacher. So he invents Ralph. 

A beautifully illustrated poem that celebrates the importance of trees, from much-loved poet Benjamin Zephaniah. 

Find out everything there is to know about bridges in this brilliantly illustrated, large format-book. A perfect choice for budding young engineers! 

Discover everything there is to know about the amazing wildlife and people that thrive at night in this accessible, appealing introduction to the nocturnal world.

Set in New Zealand, touching on indigenous culture and exploring the beaches, forests, wilderness and tourist towns of the North Island, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story with hope at its heart. 

This fascinating book reminds us that we humans have many things in common with animals; we have far more in common than we have separating us.

An accessible, humanitarian perspective on the Partition of India in 1947, seen through the experiences of three children and their families. 

An interactive book about choice, honesty and control in which the reader helps Fred Timple make decisions that terrify him in order to try and get his own happy ending. 

Snails Fergus and Shelby use their mega-morphing skills to help save their home and foil a dastardly plot to eradicate the human race in this laugh-out-loud chapter book. 

This hilarious, illustrated chapter book features best friends Mina, Reema and Mobeen. They are excited about their school camping trip but get the heebie-jeebies when they hear rumours about Bertie Blackteeth, a ghostly figure who roams the woods in search of her next victim… 

This collection of funny, thought-provoking and imaginative poems about the world around us is written by the Children’s Laureate Wales. 

This fascinating non-fiction book is packed full of information about every aspect of Formula 1 racing, making it a superb introduction to this thrilling sport. 

A verse novel telling the story of Nate’s first year at secondary school. The sequel to The Final Year. 

Arian’s new foster sister is from another planet… literally! He and his mate Pete find themselves caught up with her on an interdimensional adventure filled with magick, danger and plenty of laughs! 

An exciting horror story inspired by Celtic mythology, that also explores friendship dynamics between boys. 

A practical and empowering guide to navigating the world as a disabled person. Inclusive and warm, this is a read for everyone. 

A gentle and entertaining story about friendship, family and resilience, featuring a girl with a prosthetic leg.

Can Puloma help Nyla the bear, even though it puts her in danger herself? A story with a powerful message about animals in captivity, told in an accessible, dyslexia-friendly way. 

Sonny’s family is in bad trouble, owing thousands of pounds to a loan shark. Can Sonny’s crazy plans solve the problem? 

An engrossing non-fiction book charting normal women’s lives in the UK since 1066. A must-read.